"Second Young Master told me when he had Sister and me come to serve you, saying that from now on, we were your maids and that we should focus on serving you well and not speak carelessly about other matters. Then again last year on his birthday, he repeated it, saying I shouldn't tell you about unhappy things so you wouldn't be saddened hearing them," Ziyu thought for a moment before replying.

Lin He could easily picture Wen Ningxuan saying those words, and she smiled faintly. "It's fine. Then tell me, how has Second Young Master been living all these years? I see Uncle Wen seems to dote on him, so why would Miss Qingmo say such things, and why does Madam Wen seem to agree?"

"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics, I've only been there a few years. When I first arrived, Second Young Master was still young, and I wasn't his personal attendant. I only occasionally saw him in the courtyard. Second Young Master lived alone in his own compound, and he never had many servants. In other courtyards, there were nearly twenty maids and servants combined, but Second Young Master’s residence, even after Sister and I were assigned there, only had a few people, and most of those were appointed by Madam Wen; they never truly cared for Second Young Master."

"When I was in the kitchen, I overheard an older nanny saying that Second Young Master was very endearing when he was little—lively and loved to talk, always running around the courtyard. Second Young Master was handsome from a young age, and his birth mother taught him well; everyone in the household adored him. Then, after his mother passed away, for some unknown reason, Second Young Master became quiet and his temper grew somewhat volatile. Later, as he grew up, we rarely saw him lose his temper, settling into how he is now."

"Think about it, who would dote on a child like that? Later, when Third Young Master and Miss Qingmo were born, Third Young Master was lively and, being born to Madam, naturally, everyone shifted their attention to him and his sister. Who would still remember Second Young Master? I only came to understand him better after being assigned to his courtyard."

Although Lin He had never personally experienced the affairs of such grand households, she had seen similar scenarios in the television dramas and books of her past life. Lin He wasn't surprised; in fact, she found the plot rather cliché. However, she was puzzled that, based on this account, Wen Ningxuan shouldn't hold much status in the family, yet his current standing seemed to contradict that, making him difficult to fathom. Lin He pondered this and signaled Ziyu to continue.

Ziyu added, "When Master Wen is at home, Madam Wen treats Second Young Master very well—so well that you might think she favored him over Third Young Master. But Master Wen spends most of his time managing business outside the estate. As soon as he leaves, Madam immediately sends Second Young Master back to his own courtyard, forbidding him from leaving unless necessary. Perhaps it’s because Second Young Master has grown older and Madam Wen can no longer control him completely. In recent years, with Second Young Master’s capabilities becoming evident, perhaps Master finally began to value him."

"Hmm, then Ziyu, what kind of person do you think Madam Wen is? She seems gentle and generous to me, not like a malicious person," Lin He asked Ziyu.

"Miss, I wouldn't know for certain. Madam Wen has managed the Wen family for so long, and on the surface, the Wen estate appears very well-ordered, so she must be formidable. You must be careful when you marry into the Wen family. I doubt there is anyone truly benevolent in the Wen household; everyone acts solely for their own advantage. Of course," Ziyu added quickly, "that doesn't include Second Young Master and Third Young Master."

Lin He smiled and asked no further questions. Ziyu had only been in the Wen residence for a few years and likely knew only this much. Yet, Ziyu had spoken one truth: there were indeed no truly benevolent people in the Wen family—not even Xiao Mo or Wen Ningxuan. The difference was that they possessed a moral bottom line; they wouldn't disregard another's well-being for their own gain. Furthermore, no one in recent years had crossed their deepest boundaries, which is why they gave the impression of being kind and pure. People raised in such households, having witnessed such machinations since childhood, if they were too kind-hearted, would have long since been destroyed.

Lin He sighed softly, both for Wen Ningxuan and for herself. The days she spent with Wen Ningxuan were always happy and relaxed, so much so that she often forgot the burden of his background. When she did remember, Lin He always forced herself not to dwell on it. Sometimes in the past, realizing the difficulty of their situation, she had considered retreating, thinking she could simply refuse Wen Ningxuan and marry an ordinary country boy instead. At worst, she’d face typical domestic squabbles with in-laws and sisters-in-law, conflicts she felt confident she could handle.

But now, apart from the circumstances no longer permitting her to back out, she would never regret it. Thinking of such a family, she couldn't bear to let Wen Ningxuan continue to face it all alone. She would never let him face it alone again. She wanted to stay with him, always by his side—if not to shield him from storms, at least to help him clear the thorns, facing everything together so he would no longer be solitary.

With this realization, Lin He’s initial fear of marrying into the Wen family morphed into a sense of eager anticipation. She wished she could marry into the Wen family sooner so she could be by his side every day. Thinking of this, the image of Wen Ningxuan gazing at her tenderly surfaced in her mind, and a smile graced Lin He’s lips. Ziyu, watching from the side, smiled and teased, "Miss, you're thinking of Second Young Master, aren't you?"

If Ziyu had teased her like this in the past, Lin He would certainly have playfully argued back, but today, Lin He looked at Ziyu with genuine seriousness and replied, "Yes, I wonder how his matters are progressing and when he’ll return."

Ziyu dropped the teasing tone and murmured softly, "Miss, don't worry. Second Young Master said he’ll be gone for several months this time. You should stay home and embroider your dowry. Before long, once you marry Second Young Master, you can be together every day, and he won't be as lonely as he is now."

Lin He nodded, leaning on her hands on the table where she sat. She hadn't been seated long before Da Bao entered, saying, "He'er, you're back. I’ve settled everything at the shop. Let’s head back tomorrow. If nothing major comes up, I won't need to come over again this month."

Lin He looked at Da Bao and said, "Alright, let's go back tomorrow. Eldest Brother, I hope this time you have truly understood. Don't make us worry anymore. Be good to Sister-in-law from now on; some things aren't inevitable."

Da Bao looked at Lin He, remained silent, and nodded quietly.

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